New Dawn for Dunne

Eleven Irish players are in the field for the start of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in Scotland this morning.

Among them will be Paul Dunne and Gary Hurley who are playing their first tournaments as professionals.

Greystones man Dunne lit up the Open this year and also helped Great Britain and Ireland to Walker Cup victory in his swansong as an amateur. He now turns his attention to trying to earn a Tour card for 2016 - he's in action this week-end courtesy of an invite.

On life as a pro he says: "It's fine. The professional stuff is only one round a day, the normal amateur game is 36 holes a day. You get a little bit more time to rest. I'd rather be on the road playing these events than sitting at home on my couch. I'm grateful for the opportunities I've got and these invitations and hopefully I can make the most of them.

As for whether his life has changed that much since going professional Dunne says; "Not really, no. I just have different people looking after my organisational stuff and I have more opportunity to win some money but it's not about the money. I play golf because I love it and it's been a journey all through my amateur career and hopefully this is the start of another one but time will tell."